1 Samuel 25-26 B

Everybody loves Abigail. She successfully compensates for her foolish, drunkard husband; saving the entire household by her wisdom and generosity. I love that a woman and her food prevented a war. Don’t underestimate the power of excellent homemaking stills, ladies! The can double for diplomacy is a pinch.

Meanwhile, David continues to elude Saul and spare his life.

“As the LORD lives, surely the LORD will strike him, or his day will come that he dies, or he will go down into battle and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water, and let’s go.” (26:10-11)

Choosing to fear the LORD instead of man often involves patience. David was wasting some of the best years of his life laying low and outrunning Saul. It would have been easy to end it all, then and there (God has really put them into a deep sleep, v. 12), but he refused to take on this guilt.

The LORD is not caught in the same hurry we are. David has faith about being king eventually. Its easy to lose faith when a promise of God is a long time coming, but we cannot waiver from trusting Him.

Is there something you’re waiting for? Is there a difficult circumstance you find yourself in?

We can learn at least 2 major things from Abagail and David in these chapters:

Being in a tough situation (ie. lame marriage) isn’t an excuse to give up. You can make the most of anything with the strength and power of God. You are responsible to God for yourself, not the people around you.

If you are seeking God’s will for your life, be sure to also seek His way and His timing.

I am reminded of this passage in Romans, so I will leave you with this to mediate on in light of today’s chapters:

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ” VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans‬ ‭12:9-21)